Julia Grace Richter

A life well lived, by a person well loved. Julia Grace Plassmann joined this life on February 25, 1923, welcomed by parents George and Julia (Klueppelberg) Plassmann of Bronx, NY, along with four older siblings (Marie, George, Ruth, and Gene). Over the following few years, younger sisters Roberta and Joan would join the family as well. Grace developed a love for music, along with a special talent, and attended the recently founded (1936) NYC Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she studied music. Later, during the early 1940’s, Grace was a member of the Rockefeller Center Chorus, along with brothers Gene and George, where she performed in the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas concerts and numerous other performances and radio broadcasts. Grace maintained a special connection with music throughout her long life. The years following WWII brought the love of her life to Grace. Through a mutual friend and cousin, Grace was introduced to William Charles (Bill) Richter, and they began a romance and courtship, culminating in their wedding on March 6, 1948. After marriage, the happy couple lived in Queens and welcomed son Bill, before moving to Dunellen, NJ, and adding daughters Jan, Wendy, and Toby. The family of six later moved to Bridgewater, NJ, where they remained until Bill’s retirement from Mobil Oil, and then moved to their beloved lakeside home and property at Smith Mountain Lake in southwestern VA. Following Bill’s passing in 2005, Grace has lived at Seabury, an Active Life Plan Community in Bloomfield CT. At Seabury, Grace enjoyed an active social life, and for many years, was renowned as the resident seamstress, fitting, resizing, and altering garments for many Seabury residents. Seabury provided Grace with an opportunity to develop a personal and independent sense of purpose and being. It was an admirably life-changing experience for Grace, as she embraced the challenge at an age (83) when many of us are socially withdrawing. Grace learned a lot about herself at Seabury, and it was fun to observe. Throughout her life, we never tired of hearing the “Oh Joy!” from Grace, which was often delivered with her signature cackle and laugh, and with her face fully lit up. It was always a “joy” for the rest of us to see. Grace will be remembered for her love of music, love of Bill, love of plants and gardening, and her passion for life and learning, especially in her later years. Her strength and independence have been inspirational for anyone who met her. During her entire residence at Seabury, Grace lived in her own apartment and was fiercely proud of that. Julia Grace (Plassmann) Richter peacefully passed on Saturday, January 21, after almost 100 years with us. She is survived by son Bill and wife Sally, of West Hartford CT, daughter Jan and husband Craig (Carmany) of St Charles IL, daughter Wendy and husband Randy (Gross) of Leesburg VA, and daughter Toby and husband Michael (Fisher) of North Warren PA. Survivors also include sisters Roberta (Plassmann) Sommers and Joan (Plassmann) Pearson, both of West Milford NY, ten grandchildren (Josh Richter, Michael Hannigan, Marrissa Chiarella, Jonna Carmany, Jake Carmany, Christine Gross Hausammann, Kevin Gross, Jeff Gross, Marisa Weiss, and Gretchen Weiss), four great-grandchildren (Alexa and Zack Chiarella, Rachel Johnston, and Rylen Hausammann), and one great-great-granddaughter McKinlee Johnston.

Julia Grace Richter

January 21, 2023